I love hosting backyard barbecues on sunny, cloudless days. Hubby at the grill. Me sitting poolside, sipping a pina colada as the kids splash around. After the party’s over, I’ll lounge a while with a novel.

Well, ok, we don’t exactly have a pool. Ours cost $20 bucks and we blow it up with an air pump every summer, but to the kids, it’s a pool. And I’m not sure when was the last time I sipped a drink – certainly not when I’m entertaining. I’ll probably be scuttling back and forth from the kitchen, bringing out all the things we forgot to set on the table outside. And to be honest, I haven’t read a novel in the 7 years I’ve been married. But a girl can dream, right?

This season, we need to look at burgers and dogs (and even chicken and steaks) as blank canvases. Think of yourself as a culinary artist. (This does not mean painting with ketchup!) Get your creative juices flowing by imagining all the creative condiments that will totally put zing into your barbecue fare.

For burgers, I came up with Corn and Avocado Relish and deliciously Spicy Fried Onions. (I would add fried onions to anything except oatmeal. And yes, I’ve been known to eat them sans burger or steak. Yummy.)

For your dogs, think steak sandwich and do a Peppers and Onion Saut? – so easy and so colorful. It makes for a hot doggie that’s all grown up! And spice up your ho hum slaw with Poppyseed Slaw. Just don’t forget the toothpicks!

In a medium saut? pan over medium high heat, add oil, peppers and onions and saut? for 4 to 6 minutes, until beginning to soften. Add garlic and Worcestershire and saut? 5 minutes more or until wilted. Add salt and pepper and stir to combine. Serve on hot dogs or hamburgers.

Poppyseed Slaw

Times:Prep time: 5 minutes; Ready time: 5 minutes; Serves 2

Ingredients

2 cups shredded green cabbage

1/2 cup shredded carrot

4 green onions, chopped

1/4-cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 teaspoons poppy seeds

1-teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

In a medium bowl combine all ingredients and stir well to evenly coat and combine. Refrigerate for 15 minutes or up to 2 hours. Serve as a topping for burgers, hot dogs or grilled chicken.

Spicy Fried Onions

Times:Prep time: 5; Cook time: 24; Ready time: 29 min

Ingredients

2 red onions, thinly sliced

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1-teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 – 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

Canola oil for frying

Directions

Combine onions, flour, salt, pepper and cayenne in a large Ziploc bag. Seal the bag and toss to coat onions with seasoned flour.

In a large pot, heat oil until it reaches 360 F. Shake excess flour off onions and fry in batches for 4 to 6 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Continue with remaining onions until all are fried.

Serve immediately as a topping for burgers, hot dogs or grilled steak.

Corn And Avocado Relish

Times:Prep time: 10 minutes; Ready time: 10 minutes; Serves 8

Ingredients

1 cup frozen corn, defrosted

1/4 cup diced red onion

2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted and diced

2 limes, juiced

1-tablespoon olive oil

1/2-teaspoon kosher salt

1/4-teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a medium bowl combine corn, onions and avocados and mix to combine.

In a small bowl, combine lime juice, olive oil, salt, garlic powder and pepper and whisk to combine.

Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately as a topping for burgers, hot dogs or grilled fish.

Jamie Geller was “The Bride Who Knew Nothing” – until she found her niche as everybody’s favorite kosher cook next door. She is the author of the best-selling Quick & Kosher cookbook series and creator of the Joy of Kosher with Jamie Geller magazine. Join Jamie and the world’s largest kosher food community on joyofkosher.com to discover 5,000 FREE kosher recipes, inspiring menu ideas, how-to videos, and more! Follow more of Jamie’s Quick & Kosher cooking adventures on Twitter @JoyofKosher and on facebook.com/joyofkosher.

About the Author:Jamie Geller was "The Bride Who Knew Nothing" - until she found her niche as everybody's favorite kosher cook next door. She is the author of the best-selling Quick & Kosher cookbook series and creator of the Joy of Kosher with Jamie Geller magazine. Join Jamie and the world's largest kosher food community of joyofkosher.com to discover 5,000 FREE kosher recipes, inspiring menu ideas, how-to videos, and more! Follow more of Jamie's Quick & Kosher cooking adventures on Twitter @JoyofKosher and on facebook.com/joyofkosher.

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Participating in ManiCures during the school day may feel like a break from learning, but the intended message to the students was loud and clear. Learning and chesed come in all forms, and can be fun.

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I love hosting backyard barbecues on sunny, cloudless days. Hubby at the grill. Me sitting poolside, sipping a pina colada as the kids splash around. After the party’s over, I’ll lounge a while with a novel.

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Order your meat now before the prices go up. That’s right, now is the time to get the best deals on Passover meat purchases. And the best part is that you don’t have to take delivery until closer to Passover.